With winter in full swing, it is good to get outside and be active, even during cold weather. This is especially true given the increasingly sedentary nature of modern life, where work and home life are characterized by long periods of time sitting behind a desk or in front of the TV or computer. This, of course, can lead to unwanted weight gain and obesity, as well as the number of chronic health problems that are associated with these conditions.

Besides, being active in the winter months can be fun and are a great opportunity to get some fresh air while spending time in the great outdoors. Activities such as ice skating, sledding, and skiing add to the fun, but it is important to always take the proper precautionary measures.

This includes choosing safe areas in which to have fun, always being in control, and remembering to exercise caution and good common sense, especially when moving at fast speeds. This is especially true for skiing, where high speeds in vicinity of trees, poles and rocks can have the potential for disaster.

As a result, doctors are recommending more and more that people of all ages wear helmets when they ski. In fact, many experts feel that helmets should become standard equipment for the sport, largely because they save lives.

According to a new study reported by the BBC, sports researchers found that helmets reduced the incidence of head injuries by 35% in adults and 59% in children under the age of 13. In certain areas of the world where skiing is popular (Austria), studies have shown that anywhere from 9% to 19% of all injuries on the slopes were to the head. Most head injuries seem to occur when skiers hit their head on the snow. Less common were collisions with other skiers or with fixed objects.

Furthermore, severe head injuries are a major cause of death in winter sports. The findings thus support the idea that wearing helmets makes good sense to prevent injuries to people of all ages. Even still, there is resistance to the idea of wearing helmets, especially with skiers who argue that helmets reduce a person's field of vision or affect their ability to hear. Some believe that helmets instill a skier with a false sense of security that may encourage them to take more chances when they ski.

However, health care experts feel that these arguments are unfounded and do not outweigh the safety benefits of wearing a helmet. With this in mind, they are calling for better ways to educate the public about the seriousness of head injuries and the importance of taking steps to avoid them. Many countries encourage skiers to use helmets, and in certain places, the they are mandatory for resort employees and children. In the United States, helmet use has been estimated to be around 50%.

When you really get down to it, helmets make perfect sense in a number of winter sports, even activities like sledding and ice skating, where head injuries are always a possibility. When choosing a helmet, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable to wear.